What is the most common cause of Conn syndrome?
What is the most common cause of Conn syndrome?
Conn syndrome is most often caused by an adrenal tumor, such as aldosterone-producing adenomas. Commonly, these tumors are benign but in rare cases, they can be malignant.
What causes Conn disease?
Primary aldosteronism (also called Conn’s syndrome) is a rare condition caused by overproduction of the hormone aldosterone that controls sodium and potassium in the blood. The condition is treated with medications and lifestyle changes to control blood pressure, and in some cases surgery.
What are the principal clinical symptoms of Conn syndrome?
The signs and symptoms associated with Conn’s Syndrome (primary hyperaldosteronism) include low potassium in the blood (causing frequent urination), muscle cramps and heart palpitations (feeling your heart racing). These symptoms include fatigue, anxiety, depression, headache, and memory difficulties.
Is conns syndrome life threatening?
It is very silent and deadly. The risk of stroke, heart attack and heart arrhythmias are increased 10-fold; 1,000%) compared to age-, sex- and blood pressure matched patients with essential hypertension (high blood pressure NOT related to an adrenal tumor).
How is Conn’s disease diagnosed?
Blood and urine tests can check for high aldosterone and other blood levels. Your health care provider may order a CT scan or MRI to find the side of an adenoma or hyperplasia. Patients who have adrenal masses only need to be screened for Conn’s syndrome if they are known to have blood pressure issues.
Is Conn’s disease hereditary?
A few people have one of a group of inherited genetic conditions known as familial hyperaldosteronism. Very occasionally, Conn’s syndrome is caused by a cancerous tumour in the adrenal gland. Whatever the cause, the excess aldosterone encourages the kidneys to conserve salt and not excrete it in the urine.
How is Conn’s syndrome diagnosed?
What happens when you remove an adrenal gland?
If both adrenal glands are removed, you’ll need to take hormone medications. If only one gland is removed, the remaining gland will take over.
How do you treat conns?
Treatment of Conn’s Syndrome Unilateral adrenal nodules that cause primary hyperaldosteronism are treated with a laparoscopic adrenalectomy. This is a minimally invasive procedure that will remove the tumor that is over-producing aldosterone hormone, allowing your body to return back to its normal state.